McConnell faces missile grilling

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First Minister Jack McConnell has again been challenged to say whether he backs the replacement of the Trident nuclear missile system.

The question came at Holyrood as church leaders set out on "a long walk for peace" across Scotland.

Scottish National Party deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon called on Mr McConnell to declare where he stood on the issue.

The first minister said it was a matter that required serious debate and not a "knee-jerk reaction".

Ms Sturgeon previously tackled Mr McConnell on the issue during First Minister's Questions in July after Chancellor Gordon Brown had backed a Trident replacement.

At that time, Mr McConnell said he welcomed debate on the issue but did not declare a position.

Churchmen, including Kirk moderator the Right Reverend Alan McDonald, set out from the gates of the Trident submarine base on the Clyde on Thursday morning.

They aim to arrive on Tuesday at the Scottish Parliament.

Unilateral disarmament

Ms Sturgeon asked if Mr McConnell had yet reached a view on the question of Trident replacement.

In response, he argued that there were two options - to replace Trident or to include Trident in "some form" of international discussions to secure safeguards and guarantees from Iran and elsewhere.

Mr McConnell said: "The one option that I think would be wrong is the SNP option to give up something for nothing.

"I absolutely respect the position taken by the churches in Scotland and discussed it with them earlier last month.

There is no rational argument for spending £25bn of taxpayers' money on new nuclear weapons Nicola Sturgeon MSPSNP deputy leader

"I intend to come to a view on that matter and make it very clear indeed."

Ms Sturgeon said: "There is no rational argument for spending £25bn of taxpayers' money on new nuclear weapons."

Mr McConnell said he had believed "very strongly" in unilateral disarmament 25 years ago but had changed his approach due to the progress made in reducing nuclear weapons.

During the exchanges, Mr McConnell taunted his Nationalist opponent.

"Unlike Miss Sturgeon, I don't take my orders from a leader in London," he said.

"I've been waiting to say that for two years."

Public sector

During the session, Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie attacked the first minister over the increase in public sector employment.

Mr McConnell later vowed to fight proposals to claw back about £20m of European cash that was awarded to the Highlands and Islands in the 1990s.

He also defended the policy of relocating public sector jobs away from Scotland's capital.

Dumfries Labour MSP Elaine Murray raised concerns about future provision of GPs while the SNP's Andrew Welsh asked what steps were being taken to improve agricultural links with China.

The first minister also gave assurances that experts would be brought in to help bring about changes at an under-fire social work department in Dumfries and Galloway.